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Nice to see but don't waste your time here. * Limited access - only about 10 parking spots and when full you cant get in - if you have handicap tag you can almost always get in. * Black sand is cool but coarse and VERY hot - * Little to no shade on this beach * Very steep and once in the water the dropoff is rapid - downt o 40+ feet not far from shore * Snorkling is not great - gets deep fast, limited coral/creatures * Gated community of some of the largest/exclusive homes on the island - you cant see much but worth a drive around Basically - skip it
Great little black sand beach in Waikoloa area . Come here early as parking is limited. They open at 7 am . Lady will give a parking pass . Unfortunately water was very choppy when we were here so couldn't snorkel . it feels like a private little beach which is a plus for limited parking if you can get in . Views from the beach is great .
This is a nice small beach with black sand and rocks and a public shoreline access path, but the parking passes at the security gate are very limited (something like 14 spaces total), so you have to get there early if you don't want to be turned away. When you are able to get to the beach, it's not crowded at all and the waves are very calm so you can go swimming or perhaps snorkeling. There is some shade from the palm trees nearby. And good views of the rest of the Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii as well as Haleakala on Maui in the distance.
This beach is located in a privately gated resort community. They are required to allow you to enter and access this public beach. "No one owns the beach" as our realtor friend explained to us. We drove through the community and followed our GPS directions (and signs) to 49 Black Sand Beach. When we got to the access guard gate, the older Local Hawaiian Gentleman was super kind and gave us some tips: 1. Drive up and try to find a parking spot in the lot, 2. Here are the rules (on a pink half sheet of paper, 3. Sand is "lava hot" at this time of day, so be careful. Perfect advice! We had to wait about 7-10mins while another vehicle ahead of us scored a spot. Then, another 5-7 mins before we got one. There were families leaving I would say every 30 minutes and more families coming at a 2 to 1 rate. We were able to get all of our things and go down to the beach we found a shade spot right away, but there aren't many there. We tried to go down to enjoy the water and take pictures before we got in and the sand was absolutely lava hot. It was so hot you will burn your feet if you don't have on flip-flops or water shoes. We finally made it to the water, after applying our sunscreen. Because there's no shade, it is very, very, very, hot and I suspect that because of the lava black sand it generates more heat than normal. There is surely a really strong current and shore break, very powerful and will pull you out to sea. No lifeguard signs and please take their advice to gauge whether or not you should be swimming with the conditions. Overall, a great experience and something to see. We may try again in a few years but this visit was a 'nice to do' on Big Island. One of the best parts was the great experience at the gate with the older Hawaiian Gentleman. He was very knowledgeable and kind.
What a gorgeous little beach spot! There were very few people so we felt like we had a lot of space and privacy. The snorkeling was fairly cool with some different fishies and coral to see, but we were hoping for a bit more variety. Maybe we just caught it at a down time in the middle of the day! Couldn't get over how blue the water is! Also free to park and get into the beach!!
I loved this beach located in the back of the Fairmount property...winding through beautiful homes and golf courses you end up at the end of the road which is the parking lot of black sand beach. It is absolutely stunning and from what I can guess is kinda a hidden gem. Another big bonus was there are nice very clean bathrooms actually stocked with toilet paper which if you have read this is always not the case in a Hawaii beach bathroom. On the beach I would suggest soaking it in. Surrounded by houses of the rich and famous is the amazing bay view of this beach. We didn't snorkel, but spoke with people who did and said this a great spot for sea life and especially turtles. What is one of a kind is the black sand it's nothing you see in only a few spots and this would be my second time ever. Surprising based on the overcast day the sand was so cool to put your feet in. This was a great experience and loved the overall vibe and chill atmosphere of this beach.
This beach was noted in our vacation house binder of places to see as we were staying in a rental house very close to here. While we were not super excited to pay $20 to enter and park, it was well worth it. We even came back another day. During our trip in Feb 2023 it was fairly stormy during our stay so the beach was literally empty on our first visit, which was amazing. We don't mind some rain at the beach! It was still warm out to us. It was also nice because the sand wasn't hot and it was still fun to swim. On our second visit it was sunny and there were a few families set up but we still had plenty of space to put up a few umbrellas and our chairs and towels. The snorkeling was fantastic! Even after the storm, which made the water a little cloudy (not good scuba conditions), we still saw tons of beautiful fish. No turtles, sadly, but we didn't get there very early or stay very late. The parking lot isn't large but we managed to get a spot on both visits. I'm not sure what you do when there isn't a parking spot. I highly recommend this beach if you're staying nearby. It's lovely. We snorkeled for hours. We even saw a pod of dolphins not far past the rocks jumping out of the water, and some whales much further out. The water was also calm at the shore for our 5 and 2 year old to be comfortable playing in the small waves. Obviously, conditions can vary from season to season so this might not always be the case but we had a great time.
This beach is behind a gated community. You will need to talk to the security person and let them know you are going to the beach and they will open the gate for you. There is a small parking lot and there is a public bathroom as well. The beach isn't super big and there weren't too many people when we went (likely because it was super windy and it was forecasted to rain/storm). The sand wasn't rocky. I heard there is good snorkeling, but we didn't snorkel. There were a bunch of scuba divers though. A great low key beach to go to.
Nice little beach near Waikoloa. They only have about 10 parking spots. You have to get a parking pass from the security person. If it's full you can wait until someone leaves. The beach itself is right off the parking lot. The black sand is pretty nice. And it's also quiet since access is so limited.
Salt n pepper is how I would describe the sand here. No biggie and limited parking, amenities and vistas. I know all beaches in Hawaii are public but there is something a little weird about winding down a road in a exclusive high end residential neighborhood and ending here. I felt like an interloper, a non club member treading on private property with no other purpose other than to satisfy my curiosity. What all this surrounding panache appears to do is limit the number of people who come here. That's too bad. Because with a little planning, you could bring blankets a towels poke a cooler full of longboard maybe an umbrella and literally chill here all day with maybe a half dozen others. That is if you want privacy, quiet and relaxed beach.
2 months ago
Great place to snorkel! Bring a scuba mask and prepare to be amazed. There's so many fish of various sizes and colors, some with unique patterns. There's also an abundance of coral, which is equally as impressive. 10/10 beach!? read more
2 months ago
Tucked away and definitely a bit of a hidden gem. This black sand beach is very small and intimate, which honestly adds to its charm. Parking is extremely limited--first come, first served--so plan accordingly or be ready for a bit of a walk. We actually hiked in from Hilton Kings' Land, which made the experience feel even more special. The beach itself is great for snorkeling, with lots of people already out in the water exploring. Despite a steady flow of visitors, it still feels surprisingly private since it's located within a gated community. There are bathrooms available, which is a nice plus for such a tucked-away spot. Overall, if you're looking for a quieter, less crowded beach with excellent snorkeling, this one is worth the effort--as long as you're prepared for the parking situation! Parking lot full very early in the am. Better to walk. Or even get dropped off. read more
11 days ago
Nice to see but don't waste your time here. * Limited access - only about 10 parking spots and when full you cant get in - if you have handicap tag you can almost always get in. * Black sand is cool but coarse and VERY hot - * Little to no shade on this beach * Very steep and once in the water the dropoff is rapid - downt o 40+ feet not far from shore * Snorkling is not great - gets deep fast, limited coral/creatures * Gated community of some of the largest/exclusive homes on the island - you cant see much but worth a drive around Basically - skip it read more
Great little black sand beach in Waikoloa area . Come here early as parking is limited. They open at 7 am . Lady will give a parking pass . Unfortunately water was very choppy when we were here so couldn't snorkel . it feels like a private little beach which is a plus for limited parking if you can get in . Views from the beach is great . read more
1 year ago
Don't miss this place on the big island ! If you're lucky you'll get to see sea turtles water little choppy but great location for pictures read more
2 years ago
Nice beach! Great view,somewhat secluded. Not too far to get too. Black Sand is coarse, not too grainy. Overall great location. My daughter didn't want to leave. Lol read more
This is a nice small beach with black sand and rocks and a public shoreline access path, but the parking passes at the security gate are very limited (something like 14 spaces total), so you have to get there early if you don't want to be turned away. When you are able to get to the beach, it's not crowded at all and the waves are very calm so you can go swimming or perhaps snorkeling. There is some shade from the palm trees nearby. And good views of the rest of the Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii as well as Haleakala on Maui in the distance. read more
This beach is located in a privately gated resort community. They are required to allow you to enter and access this public beach. "No one owns the beach" as our realtor friend explained to us. We drove through the community and followed our GPS directions (and signs) to 49 Black Sand Beach. When we got to the access guard gate, the older Local Hawaiian Gentleman was super kind and gave us some tips: 1. Drive up and try to find a parking spot in the lot, 2. Here are the rules (on a pink half sheet of paper, 3. Sand is "lava hot" at this time of day, so be careful. Perfect advice! We had to wait about 7-10mins while another vehicle ahead of us scored a spot. Then, another 5-7 mins before we got one. There were families leaving I would say every 30 minutes and more families coming at a 2 to 1 rate. We were able to get all of our things and go down to the beach we found a shade spot right away, but there aren't many there. We tried to go down to enjoy the water and take pictures before we got in and the sand was absolutely lava hot. It was so hot you will burn your feet if you don't have on flip-flops or water shoes. We finally made it to the water, after applying our sunscreen. Because there's no shade, it is very, very, very, hot and I suspect that because of the lava black sand it generates more heat than normal. There is surely a really strong current and shore break, very powerful and will pull you out to sea. No lifeguard signs and please take their advice to gauge whether or not you should be swimming with the conditions. Overall, a great experience and something to see. We may try again in a few years but this visit was a 'nice to do' on Big Island. One of the best parts was the great experience at the gate with the older Hawaiian Gentleman. He was very knowledgeable and kind. read more
What a gorgeous little beach spot! There were very few people so we felt like we had a lot of space and privacy. The snorkeling was fairly cool with some different fishies and coral to see, but we were hoping for a bit more variety. Maybe we just caught it at a down time in the middle of the day! Couldn't get over how blue the water is! Also free to park and get into the beach!! read more
1 year ago
I loved this beach located in the back of the Fairmount property...winding through beautiful homes and golf courses you end up at the end of the road which is the parking lot of black sand beach. It is absolutely stunning and from what I can guess is kinda a hidden gem. Another big bonus was there are nice very clean bathrooms actually stocked with toilet paper which if you have read this is always not the case in a Hawaii beach bathroom. On the beach I would suggest soaking it in. Surrounded by houses of the rich and famous is the amazing bay view of this beach. We didn't snorkel, but spoke with people who did and said this a great spot for sea life and especially turtles. What is one of a kind is the black sand it's nothing you see in only a few spots and this would be my second time ever. Surprising based on the overcast day the sand was so cool to put your feet in. This was a great experience and loved the overall vibe and chill atmosphere of this beach. read more
2 years ago
This beach was noted in our vacation house binder of places to see as we were staying in a rental house very close to here. While we were not super excited to pay $20 to enter and park, it was well worth it. We even came back another day. During our trip in Feb 2023 it was fairly stormy during our stay so the beach was literally empty on our first visit, which was amazing. We don't mind some rain at the beach! It was still warm out to us. It was also nice because the sand wasn't hot and it was still fun to swim. On our second visit it was sunny and there were a few families set up but we still had plenty of space to put up a few umbrellas and our chairs and towels. The snorkeling was fantastic! Even after the storm, which made the water a little cloudy (not good scuba conditions), we still saw tons of beautiful fish. No turtles, sadly, but we didn't get there very early or stay very late. The parking lot isn't large but we managed to get a spot on both visits. I'm not sure what you do when there isn't a parking spot. I highly recommend this beach if you're staying nearby. It's lovely. We snorkeled for hours. We even saw a pod of dolphins not far past the rocks jumping out of the water, and some whales much further out. The water was also calm at the shore for our 5 and 2 year old to be comfortable playing in the small waves. Obviously, conditions can vary from season to season so this might not always be the case but we had a great time. read more
This beach is behind a gated community. You will need to talk to the security person and let them know you are going to the beach and they will open the gate for you. There is a small parking lot and there is a public bathroom as well. The beach isn't super big and there weren't too many people when we went (likely because it was super windy and it was forecasted to rain/storm). The sand wasn't rocky. I heard there is good snorkeling, but we didn't snorkel. There were a bunch of scuba divers though. A great low key beach to go to. read more
3 years ago
Nice little beach near Waikoloa. They only have about 10 parking spots. You have to get a parking pass from the security person. If it's full you can wait until someone leaves. The beach itself is right off the parking lot. The black sand is pretty nice. And it's also quiet since access is so limited. read more
Salt n pepper is how I would describe the sand here. No biggie and limited parking, amenities and vistas. I know all beaches in Hawaii are public but there is something a little weird about winding down a road in a exclusive high end residential neighborhood and ending here. I felt like an interloper, a non club member treading on private property with no other purpose other than to satisfy my curiosity. What all this surrounding panache appears to do is limit the number of people who come here. That's too bad. Because with a little planning, you could bring blankets a towels poke a cooler full of longboard maybe an umbrella and literally chill here all day with maybe a half dozen others. That is if you want privacy, quiet and relaxed beach. read more
5 years ago
Just amazing and breathtaking!! Sort of secluded so not many people there when we arrived. Parking and restrooms right at the front and a shower available to rinse off after enjoying the beach. The black sand is just beautiful and it's not rocky. The water was just the right temperature and not cold. I just wish I wore my swim attire so I could jump in. But we agreed to come back again for that. We decided to stop in here after searching for a beach to stop at for some pics. There is a guard post and all you have to do is ask to have access to the beach and he'll open the gate right up. If you're in the area this is a must!! read more
One star, would not recommend. Look-- you've got a lot of options on this island. You've even got a number of options for beaches with black sand. So when you're thinking about where to go for the day, just....know this isn't the place. I mean, you've probably seen a lot of reviews about the amazing snorkeling with tropical yellow fish, stripey fish, and one so big it can literally eat your ankle. It's lavender, blue, green.....it's NOT beautiful at all. Would not recommend, no fish here. As for the beach itself, if you're looking for privacy, you're out of luck-- this place is just SWARMED with people who have no idea there are absolutely NO fish here. That being said, I've decided to take one for the team and I will continue to visit this beach so you can have an open spot on another beach. One star, would NOT ever recommend this beach. Aloha. read more
4 years ago
AMAZING snorkeling experience!! Saw more fish and had a better experience than any of the paid excursions we have been on. Truly incredible read more
A quiet salt & pepper beach, this location offers self-scuba or snorkeling with some nice rock formations to view. Almost a locals only knowledge base, this beach is protected by a gated community and guard shack, which is open from 7:AM to 6:30 PM. Although we did not see any sea turtles, it seems this would be a nice place to watch for them or even take in the ocean views. Because of the rock formations, it may not be a sunset shot, but nice to chill and be away from the general population. read more
We were sent here by a local who we chatted up down at another local beach. This was pretty cool.....er I mean hot. Who woulda thunk that black sands get hot on one of the hottest days of the year? Go figure! We lucked out with parking. There were a few spots left when we arrived. There is a super handy bathroom and the beach is not very far from the small parking lot. There is literally no cover at 49, so bring your own shade. When we were there, entry was pretty sudden and drastic, but still at least it was sandy enough. The water was a bit more rough because we came later in the day...but there was enough to explore with the snorkles. There is a beach access trail that seemed worth exploring but we didn't have time to really explore. Maybe another time. read more
Such a beautiful little hidden gem. Well kept up and very small and not overwhelmed with people. Was staying at Hilton and managed to find this location which happened to only be a few miles away. Seems like they monitor amount of cars they allow in at a time which because there is only a small amount of parking. So definitely recommend getting there at a decent time. Beautiful black sand and black rocks with amazing views great place for photos. Highly recommend if you don't want to be at a extremely busy beach. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
5 years ago
Volcanic smog or voog is new to me. The beach is beautiful and has amazing turtles. For anyone with sensitive respiratory or allergy sufferers should know. read more
4 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
Beautiful beach...if you are HI resident then you don't have to pay access to this public beach! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
6 years ago
Hidden Gem Beach Located In Residential Community! This is a cool spot to get away from the draining crowds of people and relax on a sloped black sand (Salt and Pepper) beach and get some swimming in. You must stop at the guard station where friendly security guards give you an access pass and buzz you into the gates on the path to the beach. You drive through a nice community of houses that seem to not have people living in them. There were almost no signs of life anywhere. There are some coral and rock formations to the left as you look at the ocean to snorkel in. Some pretty jagged shoreline to the right. I swam 3-4 miles around checking it all out. I didn't see much marine life swimming around when I was at this beach but this isn't to say it's not there. Lots of coral formations though! Peaceful little spot to unwind and hurray they have a little shower to rinse off with after the salt water! I didn't realize I failed to take my usual bunch of photos here. It was the end of the day and I was getting sleepy.... read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
glad we decided to do the driv! it was an amazing experience watching the hatchlings being release. water was warm! great place to have our picnic lunch! read more
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More info about 49 Black Sand Beach
68-1107 Honokaope Pl
Kamuela, HI 96743
Directions
(808) 887-0531
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Ask the Community - 49 Black Sand Beach
Are there racks to lock your bike if you bike to this beach?
No. But the beach area is not large
Is this easily accessible from the parking lot for someone who walks with a cane?
It's all lava rocks and fairly uneven. Please be cautious if you venture out 😀
Is it open right now and in April?
The beaches in Hawaii do not close, however the parking lot for this beach closes at Sunset.
Review Highlights - 49 Black Sand Beach
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49 Black Sand Beach - beaches - Updated June 2026
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